The Longevity Project

In The Longevity Project, researchers Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin take the results of an eight-decade study to provide the lessons to living a long, productive life.   The research study began in 1921 by Dr. Lewis Termin of Stanford University who started following 1,548 individuals born in the early part of the 20th century.  Friedman and Martin, among others, carried on the work after the death of Termin.

I have not read the book but saw an interview with the authors in OnInvesting, the Charles Schwab publication for investors, and thought some of their findings on longevity were interesting.

• The old adages on what promotes longevity-getting married, exercising regularly, being happy, not working too hard- are overrated.  In certain groups of people they can actually have the opposite effect.
• One of the best predictors of longevity is conscientiousness.  The authors define this as being prudent, persistent and well-organized.
• The best careers were enjoyed by those people who were the most persistent.  They stuck to the things that they started and were willing to hang in there and avoided being impulsive along the way.
• Some people are naturally conscientious or well-organized.  However, some people improved these traits over time by tackling small pieces one by one.  As that happened, their health habits and social relations also improved over time one step at a time.  
• The people you spend time with tend to inform the person you become.  People who wanted to improve their health associated with healthy people.  People who wanted to be successful in business associated with successful business people at work.  Resilience and perseverance are not natural talents.  However, if you have the right social network, your friends can help you get back on the path if you get off track.
• People who stay active and engage in things they are passionate about throughout their lives tend to live longer and be happier.  It was the responsible hard worker who tended to thrive.
• Achieving financial and career success were often part of a healthy life path but money itself wasn't a primary factor for creating happiness.  People who led a successful life stayed productive and generally didn't have a lot of financial problems because of the life they led.
• As you create a life plan remember that each good step leads to another in life.  Having a sense of what's meaningful to you and then conscientiously pursuing that path can help you succeed in every aspect of your life.

I hope you can find the time to check it out.  A well-organized, conscientious person surely will find the time.